Electropneumatic lubricating system



c. F. HOOFER. ELECTROPNEUMATIC LUBRICATING SYSTEM.

, Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

APPLICATION HLED JULY ll, l9l8- 1,409,1 78.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

C. F. HOOFER. ELECTROPNEUMATIC LUBRlCATING SYSTEM- APPLICATION FILED mun. 191a.

In Vania/1 C..F. HOOFER. ELECTROPNEUMATIC uamcnmc SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY II, I918- 1,409, 1 78. Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

. v 3 SHEETSSHEET 3- C92 1&9.

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

CHARLES F. HOOFER, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

ELECTROPNEUMATIC L'U'BRICATING SYSTEM To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES F. Hoornn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and the State of Washington, United States of America, have invented new and useful Improvements in electropneumatic lubricating systems for lubricating the flanges of track vehicle wheels or any other kind of bearings which may require lubricating, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wheel flange lubricators'of the type disclosed in my ULS. Patent No. 1,278,657, issued Sept. 10, 1918. The object of my present invention being to provide means whereby a pneumatic oil dispensing mechanism may be controlled by electricity, and it consists in the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed. Another object 01 my invention is to provide means whereby an electric switch is brought into engagement with a suitable contact when the trolley of an electric track vehicle is swung to either side, or when the vehicle is rounding acurve. Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby a plurality of pneumatic oil dispensing mechanisms may be simultaneouslycontrolled by an electric circuit, connected through a train of railway cars, or an electric circuit connecting a plurality of electro-magnets and pneumatic oil dispensers, so arranged that oil may be supplied to the bearings of any kind of machinery.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel form of air pressure control mechanism, having a time controlled feature, and adapted to supply air pressure for con; trolling an electric switch.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an air pressure control valve adapted to becontrolled'by an electro-magnet. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specifications, and the novel features of the device will be pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is-illustrated in the accom- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lu 14 1922 Q Application filed July 11, 1918 Serial No. 244,428.

panylng drawings forming part of this applicatlon 1n which [Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrically controlled pneumatic lubricating system.

p F igure 2 is a top plan view of an electric contact spring as employed in the system shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail view in cross section of the electro-magnetie controlled air pressure valve.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View of a modifiedform of an electrically controlled pneumatic lubricating system.

Figure is a sectional view of a time controlled air pressure control mechanism, shownin side elevation.

F1gure 6 isanother sectional view of the time controlled air pressure control mechanism, shown in front elevation.

F lgure 7 is a bottom plan view of a plunger head, shown in Figure 5.

F igure 8 is a section along the line 1-1 of Figure 5, with part of the operating mechanism shown in application position.

F gure '9 IS a view in front elevation of the time controlled air pressure control mechanism.

Figure 10 is a plan view, with the casing 1n section, of the time controlled air pressure control mechanism, with part of the operating mechanism shown in top elevation.

Figure 11 is an end view of a valve, shown in Figures 5 and 8.

. Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of one of the co-portions of a shaft, having an inclined faceted end, shown in Figures 5 and 8. 1

. Figure 13 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of a time controlled air pressure control mechanism, having a gear train for actuating its operation.

Figure 14 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figure 13, shown in front elevation.

Figure 15 'is a front elevation of the modified form of time controlled air pressure control mechanism.

According to the system illustrated in J Figure 1 of the drawings, each car may be equipped with an electric contact spring 3 adapted to engage the ring 4 when the trolley 5 is swung to either side of the car, thereby supplying electrical energy to an electric conductor wire 8 andin turn toanelectrm magnet coil 6 which is adapted for control- 'hng an a1r pressure valve 11. A resistance coil 7 may be employed between the source of electrical energy and the electro -magnet coil 6 for regulating theycurrent on the wire 8 to the magnet. Air pressure is supplied from a storage tanlr9 through the pipe 10 to a well known form of air control valve 11 (see Figure 3). It is evident that with vproper arrangement of the electro-magnet coil 6, it will act when energized through the turning of the trolley 5, to displace the valve 11 from its seat and admit air pressure to the oil dispensing device 12 through a pipe 18, an outlet being provided therefor through the nipples 13. When the electromagnet coil 6 is non-energized the valve 11 is normally seated and air pressure is cut off'from the oildispensing device 12.

double The contact ring4 consists in a segment'ring, adapted to be secured to any commonly used trolleybase (see Figure 2), the purpose of this construction being to accommodate trolleys of the reversible type, The vcontact spring 3 is secured to the body of the car, andmay be adjusted with relation to the contact ring 4, so that contact between them will occur only when thetrolley 5 is swung out of alignment with the'car. It. is obvious that. contact will usu-' ally-.occurwhen' the car 1s rounding a curve in the track, and the delivery 'of' oil to the wh'eefflanges is most desirable.

In the modified form of electrically controlled pneumatic lubricating system, as

illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, I provide a time controlled air pressure controlmechani sm, for controlling an electric switch, shown in Figures 5 to 12 inclusive. This consists in a dust proof casing or inclosure 14 having an outward extension 15 which supports a shaft bearing 16, and an adjustment screw19. 'A'corresp'onding shaft bearing 17 is employed-for supporting the shafts 20 and 21 respectively, each of which are provided at one end with inclined facets 23' (see Figure 12). The shaft 20 has a non-circular portion 24 upon which is loosely mounted a lever 25'; An air pressure valve casing 26 is provided with an open ended cylindrical extension 27 projecting into and secured to the casing 14.- A reciprocating piston 28 in the cylinder 27 is adapted to engage one .end of the fulcrum lever 29 which-is pivoted upon the pin 33. A spring 32 which is carried by the pin 33 is employed to hold the various operative'parts in their normal position as shown in Figure A reciprocating connecting rod 34 forming a pair of parallel guides 35 and 35 and a circular enlargement 36 has one end pivoted to, the lever 29 and the other end pivoted to the plunger head 37. A non-circular portion 22 of the shaft 21 is mounted between the parallel guide members 35 and 35*. A dash pot 38 open at its top end and secured to a corresponding opening in the casing 14 is provided with a reciprocating plunger 37. Aball checkvalve 39 adapted to close during a downward movement, and a vent passage 40 provide means whereby a liquid is passed through the head37. A deflector disk 41 extendslover the openings 39 and 40. The piston 28 is provided at its lower end with a leather packing 30 above which a chamber formed by reducing the diameter of a central portion of the piston 28, is in communication with the atmosphere through the vent 31. The air pressure valve casing 26 is provided with itsair supply through a pipe 42 and discharges through they pipe 43, A valve 44 having radial guide members 45 is normally'held screw cap 47. A stem 48 having one of its ends bearing against the valve 44 extends out of the casing 26 through a packing gland 49 and terminates in engagement with the end of the shaft 21.

It is obvious that turning the shaft 20 through the swinging of thelever 25 will act through the engagement of the inclined facets 23 and 23 to displace the valve 44 from its seat'and admit air pressure to the pipe 43 and the'cylinder 27 (see Figures and 8).

7 Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that a rod- 58 is coupled to the end of the lever 25, and the operation thereof may be accomplished by the application of any form of energy which will give the rod 58 a reciprocal movement at regular intervals, thereby causing an intermittent flow of fluid pressure through the pipe 43. Asource of electrical energy is provided in a battery or any form of device for generating a 7 current of electricity may be employed, Means for automatically controlling the circuit may comprise a switch 52 and an operating piston 57 therefor, one face of which is open to the pipe 43. Fluid pressure on this face tends to close the switch 52 and an opposing spring 56 tends to open the switch. A comparatively small passage or vent 51 is adapted for releasing fluid pressure from the cylinder 5Ov when the source of supply thereto is closed. The circuit conductors 54 and 55 are adapted to carry a current to a plurality of electro-magnet coils 6 and may be provided with suitable couplings for extending them through a train of cars, or through a machine room for operating pneumatic oil dispensers upon the bearings of any kind of machinery.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the modified form of electrically controlled pneumatic lubricating system, the operation thereof may be readily understood. Normally the casing 14 is held in an upright position with the dash-pot 38 charged with a liquid, preferably of an oily substance, to a depth well above the plunger head 37. Referring now to Figure 5, it becomes obvious that the shaft member 20 may be subjected to a rotative movement in either direction by means of the lever 25, while its co-member 21 having its non-circular portion 22 between the guides 35 and 35 may not be thus rotated, but is subjected to a reciprocal movement when the relative positions of the inclined facet ends 23 and 23 are moved out of alignment, thereby acting to displace the valve 44 from its seat, through the shaft member 21 pressing against the stem 48. Consider now the action of the air pressure; as it enters upon its usual function through the pipe 43, it also enters into the cylinder 27 pressing the piston 28 upward against the fulcrum lever 29 which in turn forces the plunger 37 downward into the dash-pot 38 against the resistance of the spring 32 and the liquid in the bottom of the dash-pot 38. The said liquid is for the purpose of producing a retarding action upon the plunger 37 and to that end, a small vent 40 is provided through which the liquid must pass, as the ball check valve 39 is closed during a downward movement of the same. When the downward movement of the plunger 37 is completed, the circular enlargement 36 registers with the non-circular portion 22 of the shaft 21 (see Figure 6), whereupon the inclined facet ends 23 and 23 slip into alignment, and the valve 44 is seated by the spring 46, thereby cutting off fluid pressure from cylinder 37, pipe 43 and cylinder 50 respectively, the latter being adapted to release the pressure through the vent 51 (see Figure It is obvious that the vent 51 is comparatively smaller than the pipe 43, therefore it is evident that the switch 52 will be closed by the pressure against the piston 57, and will be opened by the spring 56 when pressure supply is out off. When atmospheric pressure is again attained below the head 30 the'fulcrum spring 32 immediately actuates a return movement of the plunger 37 and its component parts, but can not complete this movement until the non-circular portion 22 is rotated, through the swinging of the lever 25 into position for passing the parallel uides 35 and 35 over it, whereupon the movement is completed and the parts re- 1 main in their uppermost position preparatory to the next operation. It should be understood that the shaft member 20 may be so adjusted by means of the adjustment screw 19 that the spring 46 will press the inclined facet ends 23 and 23 into alignment with each other and engage them sufficiently to cause the shaft 20 to rotate the shaft 21 when the latter has its non-circular portion 22 v in register with the circular enlargement 36.

The prime object'of this device is to provide means for automatically controlling an electric switch for completing an electric circuit, and automatically breaking the circuit after a predetermined length of time. The time controlled feature is governed by the capacity of the vent 40 and the fluidity of the liquid used therein.

In Figures 13 to 15 inclusive I have shown a modified form of time controlled air pressure control mechanism, having a gear-train within a dust proof casing, ed to be actuated by a belt driven'arrangement. This device functions as a speed re ducing mechanism and it is evident that another type of speed reducing mechanism may be substituted therefor.

The casing 59 is provided with a concaved bottom 60 which may be filled with lubricating oil to a sufficient depth to become self distributing to the gear-train. Fresh lubri cant may be supplied when needed through the opening which is covered by the cover 61, also the gear-train may be assembled within the casing through this opening. A base of support is provided in the foot 63 and the extension 62. Extensions 6i and 6*" are supports for the bearing bushings 65 and 65 in which is mounted the shaft 66 which carries the main pulley 67 and a worm portion 68 which engages a worm-wheel 69 having an integral cog-pinion 70 which drives the gear train consisting of the cogwheels and pinions 71, 72, 73 and 74, the latter being mounted upon the non-circular portion 24 of the shaft 20, while the former are mounted respectively upon the spindle 75 and the shaft 76. Using this construction the shaft member 20 is given a slow continuous rotation. Referring to Figure 5, it becomes obvious that rotation of the shaft 20 when the same is in engagement with the tooth faces 23 of the shaft 21, will actuate an automatic time controlled air pressure control valve to secure functioning such as that which was more fully described with reference to Figures 5 to 12 inclusive. All the mechanism in this part of the device being virtually the same, except such variations as may be readily understood. Consider the action of the shaft member 20 in relation with its co-member 21; by proper adjustment of the tooth faces 23 and 23 of those members, through the adjustment screw 19, the former carries with it the latter, and at diametrically opposite points in their course the non-circular portion 22 beadaptwhereby air pressure may be supplied for controlling an electric switch such as that shown in Figure l, at regular intervals, and

the length of intermittency between the operative intervals may be ad]usted by means of changing the speedrratio oi? the geartrain.

It is obvious that various forms and modifications are within the scope and spirit of this invention, and I do notlimit myself to the specific construction shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. In an oiling device, in combination with an electric circuit, a plurality of magnet valves connected thereto in parallel, an air actuated electric switch for making and breaking the circuit, pipe connections through the magnet valves for supplying air pressure to a pluralityv of oil dispensers.

2. In an oiling device, in combination with anelectric circuit, automatic time controlled means for making and breaking the circuit, a source of fluid pressure, an electromagnet for controlling the fluid pressure in operating a lubricator.

3. Inan oiling device, in combination with an electric circuit, an airactuated switch for making and breaking the circuit, automatic means for supplying air to the said switch, and independent. time controlled means ".fOl cutting oft the said air supply after a predetermined. length of time, and

' electrically controlled means for controlling 40 the flow of air pressure to oil dispensers.

4. In an oiling device, in combination with an electric circuit, an air actuated switch for Y making and bi'eaking'the circuit, automatic means for supplying air to said switch, time controlled means "for automatically cutting off said air supply a predetermined time after it has been applied, said means comprising a retarding mechanism acting to delay the movement of the cutoff valve, and electrically controlled means for controlling the flow of air pressure to oil dispensers.

5. In an oiling device, in combination with an electric circuit, an air cylinder and piston for making and breaking the circuit, an auxiliary air cylinder and piston-having a common supply with the main cylinder, an air supply cut-oil actuated by the auxiliary piston, and valvecontrolled means for supplying air pressure to lubricators.

6. In an oiling device, in combination With an electric circuit, an air cylinder and piston for making and breaking the circuit, an auxiliary air' cylinder and piston having a common supply with the main cylinder, an

air supply cut-off actuated by the auxiliary mechanism.

piston, a'retarding mechanism acting to slow down the movement of the auxiliary piston,

'' with an electriccircuihan' air cylinder and piston for making and breaking the circuit, an auxiliary cylinder and piston, automatic means 7 for simultaneously supplying air pressure to both cylinders and pistons, an air supply cut-oft actuated by the auxiliary piston, a retarding'mechanism acting to slow down the movement of the auxiliary piston, and valve controlled means for supplying air pressure to lubricators.

8. In an oiling device, in combination with an electric circuit, an air cylinder and piston for making and breaking the circuit, an auxiliary cylinderand piston, automatic means 1 for simultaneously supplying air pressure to both cylinders and pistons, an air supply cut-oilactuated by the auxiliary piston, a

retarding mechanism acting to slow down the movement of the auxiliary piston, said retarding mechanism comprising a dash-pot containing aliquid and plunger therein provided with means tor controlling the speed of its reciprocal movement, and valve controlled means for supplying air pressure to lubricators.

9. In an oiling device for cars, an air operated oil distributing mechanism, an air controlling valve, means for electrically controlling said valve, and means acting independently, of the valve operating means, means "for automatically lim ting the time of action of the air upon'the oil distributing 10. In. an oiling device for railway-rolling stock, an air operated oil distributing mechanism, an electrically controlled valve controlling the. application of air to said oil distributing mechanism, meansv for automatically applying the electric current to said valve cont-rolling mechanism when the car is upon a curve, and independent time-con trolled means-for automatically cutting oil the supply of air to the oil distributing mechanism.

11. In an oiling device for railway rolling stock, an air operated oil distributing mechanism, an electric operated valve controlling the airsupply and an independent time-con- V trolled mechanism actuated by the airto cut out the air supply.

12. A means for oiling distant surfaces,

comprising an oil reservoir, means for delivering a portion of oil from said reservoir, pneumatic operating means for said oil deliver mechanism, a valve controlling the ap p'lication of air to said operating means and meansfor electrically controlling the opera tion of said valve.

13; A means for oiling distant surfaces comprising an oil reservoir, a pnematically operated oil feeding mechanism, a valve for controlling the air for operating said oil feeding mechanism, and an electro-magnet for controlling said valve.

14:. An oiling mechanism comprising means for delivering a measured quantity of oil, pneumatic operating means for the oil delivery mechanism, an automatic timing mechanism limiting the time of action of the air, and means for electrically controlling 10 the application of the air.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature this fifth day of July, 1918.

CHARLES F. HOOFER. 

